On the road with the Angels: Tampa Bay and Cleveland

<b>Torii Hunter</b> looked like he was just clowning around during batting practice at Progressive Field. But he was actually predicting how many home runs he would hit during the series in Cleveland -- two.<br> Click through the photos to see some more scenes from the Angels' road trip to Tampa Bay and Cleveland last week.<br>BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The Angels were not happy wanderers as they made their way through Tampa Bay and Cleveland last week.

The six-game road trip produced just one victory – but plenty of frustration for Angels hitters who managed a collective .165 batting average and only nine runs in the six games. The Angels staggered home 7-15 (matching the worst 22-game start in franchise history) with plenty of questions about when they will turn things around.

Click through the photos to see some scenes from last week's road trip.

Torii Hunter looked like he was just clowning around during batting practice at Progressive Field. But he was actually predicting how many home runs he would hit during the series in Cleveland -- two. Click through the photos to see some more scenes from the Angels' road trip to Tampa Bay and Cleveland last week.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTERAlbert Pujols is getting top billing everywhere the Angels go this season.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Tropicana Field -- the Juice Box. Trust me, it's just as non-descript and boring inside as it is outside.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The new era of baseball stadium construction has not found its way to Tampa Bay yet. Only the Oakland A's can match the Rays for the poor quality of their facility.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The artificial turf at Tropicana Field looks more like the shag carpeting in your Uncle Bob's rec room than it does actual dirt and grass.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Many a fly ball has vanished into the opaque roof of the Trop's dome, never to be seen again -- at least not by the outfielder trying to track it. Some of the catwalks that ring the roof and extend over the playing field are also in play.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
This bronze statue of Ted Williams greets visitors to the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame located in "Baseball Alley" -- an area down the right field line with an assortment of games and exhibits.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Rays play their home games in St. Petersburg, on the west side of the bay from the city of Tampa. Staying in Tampa means a long drive across the Howard Frankland Bridge. I only found out after making that drive a few times last week that the bridge is over 50 years old and local politicians are sparring over how soon to replace it. Gulp.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
In the first game of last week's road trip, Ervin Santana gave up four home runs to the Rays, running his major-league-leading total to 10 home runs allowed in his first four starts of the season. Two days later, he was out early, throwing a bullpen session under the watchful eye of Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher. The work paid off. Santana's start in Cleveland on Sunday was his best of the season -- seven innings with only two unearned runs allowed when Torii Hunter lost a fly ball in the sun.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Tropicana Field does have one redeeming feature -- a 35-foot, 10,000-gallon "Touch Tank" located just beyond the right-center field wall.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Fans (50 at a time) are allowed into the "Touch Tank" area where they can feed the rays swimming in the tank -- or reach in and touch them. (They feel like your rubber bathmat has come to life and gone for a swim.) The attraction is free of charge but the 50-person limit means you might have to wait in line -- if the Rays ever attracted a crowd.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The cow nose rays who make the "Touch Tank" their home were actually caught in the waters of Tampa Bay.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Netting strung over the tank protects the rays from any direct hits. But Luis Gonzalez did hit a home run into the "Touch Tank" on June 24, 2007 while playing with the Dodgers.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Would Angels reliever Kevin Jepsen look so placid if he knew the creatures of the deep lurking just behind his back?BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The switch from Tampa Bay to Cleveland meant outdoor baseball once again -- and temperatures in the 40s.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
When veteran reliever Scott Downs stretched out before Friday's game in Cleveland, it was as the Angels' new closer. Angels manager Mike Scioscia demoted Jordan Walden from the role after watching the hard-throwing right-hander give up a walkoff home run in the series finale at Tropicana Field.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTERMaicer Izturis, Mark Trumbo and Howie Kendrick gathered around the bat rack to discuss how much an appearance in a road trip slide show might do for their endorsement opportunities. Or maybe they just didn't want to walk away from the heaters hanging down from the dugout ceiling.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Angels radio play-by-play man Terry Smith gives manager Mike Scioscia his pre-game briefing Saturday.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Angels manager Mike Scioscia and outfielder Vernon Wells have a quick word before batting practice in Cleveland. The arrival of Mike Trout during the series there figures to cut into Wells' playing time.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Media relations rep Ryan Cavinder and Fox Sports West producer Sara Takata demonstrate the 'dos' and 'don'ts' of early-season travel. Do -- pack your winter coat, hat and gloves (Sara). Don't -- sit in the first row of the press box for a night game in Cleveland (Ryan).BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
It's not a good sign to find the tarp on the field when you arrive at the ballpark.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
There were dark skies over Progressive Field on Saturday and the start of the game was delayed for 2 1/2 hours by rain.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
After the long rain delay, the Indians' ground crew went to work, getting the field ready for play.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
You can't see the target on Mickey Hatcher's back from this angle. But the Angels hitting coach was definitely on the hot seat last week as the team's hitters continued to underperform.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The area around Progressive Field was crowded with bikers on Sunday morning. It was an annual "Rally for the Troops" featuring a ride through downtown Cleveland.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
There were a lot of empty seats on this road trip with none of the six games drawing as many as 15, 500 fans. Once home to 455 consecutive sellouts when it was known as Jacobs Field, Cleveland's Progressive Field ranks dead last in the majors in attendance this season.BILL PLUNKETT/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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